Who is dumping Melbourne’s rubbish? The evidence missing from the blame directed at migrants

Key points

• Illegal dumping is costing Wyndham ratepayers millions, prompting tougher enforcement and calls for better waste services. Some social media users have blamed Indian and South Asian residents, though published enforcement findings do not identify offenders by ethnicity.
• The Victorian Government has expanded enforcement through the $21.5 million Illegal Waste Dumping Taskforce, using drones, long-range cameras and additional officers. Authorities have issued 22 clean-up orders and identified 18 new investigative leads.
• Residents and advocates continue to debate council services, landlord responsibilities and how the problem should be addressed.